Chato hoping to return to normal after Vincy Pac

All throughout the massive illegal drugs eradication programme, Vincy Pac, which came to an end on Friday, May 29th, the communities of North Leeward remained calm and tranquil.{{more}}

The operation began on Monday, May 18, when MV Jaden T brought hundreds of camouflaged Regional Security System (RSS) officers to the Chateaubelair wharf, which was used as a staging site for the operations.

Some of the officers and their supplies were taken to the Richmond-Walliabou area by coast guard vessels and coaches, while the surrounding waters were patrolled by smaller coast guard vessels and a larger vessel carrying the insignia of Trinidad and Tobago.

While helicopters flew in and out of the hills, fishermen and other boat operators were stopped and searched and told to leave the area according to some reports.

On the land, some farmers were detained at the police station after they were encountered north of the Walliabou river, where one RSS camp had been set up.

Despite this, some tri-tri fishers who usually camp on Richmond Beach told SEARCHLIGHT that many of the officers were friendly and chatted with them and enjoyed fresh tri-tri or river fish broth.

Stop and search operations by the Local Rapid Response Unit (RRU) were also stepped up, and homes were searched as well. Some persons reported that their used Western Union money transfer receipts were confiscated.

A seine fishing crew reported that while they were in the Morne Ronde area on the evening of Tuesday, May 26th, Rapid Response Unit (RRU) officers, using expletives, told them to leave the area.

That same evening, around 10 pm, a house in the Plan Village of Chateaubelair was raided and two men believed to be St Lucians were taken into custody. Residents reported that gunshots were fired and one eyewitness told SEARCHLIGHT that the men were beaten by the officers, who only stopped when they realized that one of the men was a diabetic.

There are also unconfirmed reports that two men were shot and killed by the RSS forces at Copper Head, close to the De Volet area.

There are mixed feelings about the operations in the area, and shopkeepers reported that they experienced a slow down in business since the operations began.

Chairman of the North Leeward Tourism Association (NLTA) and Justice of Peace Clem Derrick told SEARCHLIGHT that he is concerned about the effect the operations will have on the environment and the tourism industry in the area. A confessed communist, Derrick said that he would like to see the men come out of the hills, but livelihood issues will have to be addressed in order for there to be real progress.

Derrick, who has a background in philosophy and social work, said the young people need to get in touch with their rich Vincentian culture: “You see, they got all the technology and we should give them proper guidance. Right now, I am ah old timer, so I could tell them a thing or two,” he said.

Now that the operation is over, residents are hoping that their lives would return to normal.